Mendo T et al. (2014), Habitat characteristics predicting distribution...

ECB-ART-43234

PLoS One 2014 Jan 14;91:e85895. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085895.

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Habitat characteristics predicting distribution and abundance patterns of scallops in D''Entrecasteaux Channel, Tasmania.

Mendo T , Lyle JM , Moltschaniwskyj NA , Tracey SR , Semmens JM .

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Habitat characteristics greatly influence the patterns of distribution and abundance in scallops, providing structure for the settlement of spat and influencing predation risk and rates of survival. Establishing scallop-habitat relationships is relevant to understanding the ecological processes that regulate scallop populations and to managing critical habitats. This information is particularly relevant for the D''Entrecasteaux Channel, south-eastern Tasmania (147.335 W, 43.220 S), a region that has supported significant but highly variable scallop production over many years, including protracted periods of stock collapse. Three species of scallops are present in the region; the commercial scallop Pecten fumatus, the queen scallop Equichlamys bifrons, and the doughboy scallop Mimachlamys asperrima. We used dive surveys and Generalized Additive Modelling to examine the relationship between the distribution and abundance patterns of each species and associated habitat characteristics. The aggregated distribution of each species could be predicted as a function of sediment type and species-specific habitat structural components. While P. fumatus was strongly associated with finer sediments and E. bifrons with coarse grain sediments, M. asperrima had a less selective association, possibly related to its ability to attach on a wide range of substrates. Other habitat characteristics explaining P. fumatus abundance were depth, Asterias amurensis abundance, shell and macroalgae cover. Equichlamys bifrons was strongly associated with macroalgae and seagrass cover, whereas M. asperrima abundance was greatly explained by sponge cover. The models define a set of relationships from which plausible hypotheses can be developed. We propose that these relationships are mediated by predation pressure as well as the specific behavioural characteristics of each species. The findings also highlight the specific habitat characteristics that are relevant for spatial management and habitat restoration plans.

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Genes referenced: LOC100893907 LOC583082

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References [+] :

Andruskiw, Habitat-mediated variation in predation risk by the American marten. 2008, Pubmed

	Figure 1. Map of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.Numbers represent the Areas referred to throughout the manuscript.
	Figure 2. The interpolated distribution and densities of scallops per 100 m2.a) Pecten. fumatus, b) Equichlamys bifrons and c) Mimachlamys asperrima throughout the D’Entrecasteaux Channel in 2010. Circles indicate the survey sites and the colour intensity (white = no scallops) indicates the interpolated relative density of scallops. Note density scales (to the right of each map) differ among species. Areas located left of the dotted line were considered outside the model interpolation domain.
	Figure 3. The size frequency (percent) distribution of scallops.(a) Pecten fumatus, (b) Equichlamys bifrons, and (c) Mimachlamys asperrimus. Samples were obtained from 59 sites within the D’Entrecasteaux Channel in 2010.
	Figure 4. The interpolated values of a) depth in meters, b) mean grain size (mm) and abundances (number per 200 m2 transect) of c) Asterias amurensis and d) Coscinasterias muricata throughout the D’Entrecasteaux Channel in 2010.Circles indicate the survey sites and the colour intensity indicates the interpolated relative value. Note density scales vary between the starfish species. Areas located left of the dotted line were considered outside the model interpolation domain.
	Figure 5. Distribution of main structural components in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.a) sponges; b) shells and c) algae. Circle colours indicate percent cover, with absent (white), low (gray) and medium (black) cover.
	Figure 6. Graphical results of the GAM model fitted to Pecten fumatus abundance.Only significant variables are shown: a) mean grain size, b) depth, c) Asterias amurensis abundance, d) shell and e) algae/seagrass cover. The y-axis shows the relationship between the variable and scallop abundance, with effective degrees in freedom shown in brackets. Dashed lines represent 95% confidence intervals and whiskers on the x-axis indicate data presence.
	Figure 7. Graphical results of the GAM model fitted to Equichlamys bifrons abundance.Significant explanatory variables are a) mean grain size and b) algae/seagrass cover. See Fig. 6 for explanation.
	Figure 8. Graphical results of the GAM model fitted to Mimachlamys asperrima abundance.Significant explanatory variables are a) mean grain size and b) sponge cover. See Fig. 6 for explanation.